TOLERATION VERSUS LIBERTY.
Toleration is an important step from State-churchism to free-churchism. But it is only a step. There is a great difference between toleration and liberty. Toleration is a concession which may be withdrawn. It implies a preference for the ruling form of faith and worship, and a practical disapproval of all other forms. . . . In our country we ask no toleration for religion and its free exercise, but we claim it as an inalienable right.—Dr. Philip Schaff, in "Church and State in the United States." What other nations call religious toleration, we call religious rights. They are not exercised in virtue of governmental indulgence, but as rights, of which governments can not deprive any portion of its citizens, however small. Despotic power may invade those rights, but justice still confirms them.—U. S. Senate Report, 1829. I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, disciples, or exercises.—Thos. Jefferson to Rev. Mr. Millar, Jan. 23, 1808.